Jill Painter

Columnist

Recent articles

Sports

Thank you.This one is for you.Thank you for allowing me to write in this space the last 14 years. I’ve spent most of my professional career covering sports at the Los Angeles Daily News and what a ride it’s been.I’ve enjoyed reporting the good, the bad and the inspirational.My first gig was covering Cal State Northridge sports, and in a New York minute, I followed the men’s basketball team en route to its first berth in the NCAA...

Columnists

This was a different Clayton Kershaw on the mound at Dodger Stadium. In an wacky fashion ensemble that he sported on the blue carpet, Kershaw donned a headband, blue T-shirt, shorts, pink wristbands, long black-and-yellow socks and sneakers. Kershaw was a commanding presence on the mound, like usual, at Dodger Stadium, but this time he was alongside his wife, Ellen, and “Bachelor” host Chris Harrison.

Golf

The U.S. Open could be headed to Los Angeles in 2023. Pending a member vote and other logistics, golf’s prestigious major is scheduled to return to Los Angeles for the first time since 1948. Here are 10 reasons we should be excited the U.S. Open is scheduled to be played in Los Angeles:1 — The USGA hates traffic problems for its majors,...

Dodgers

The Joc Pederson call finally came, a much-anticipated, no-surprise-here kind of September call.Without an outfield traffic jam in Los Angeles, his phone would’ve blown up much earlier this season.Still, he made his major league debut as a pinch-hitter on Monday with two runners on and two outs in the bottom of the ninth with the Dodgers trailing by two runs. It was a dramatic at-bat, with a Hollywood scene set with Pederson against Washington Nationals closer Rafael...

Dodgers

September is a month to remember.For all the crazy comebacks and the unbelievable meltdowns, baseball always gets interesting when the calendar turns to September.The Dodgers own a five-game lead in the National League West, but when the Dodgers begin the final home stretch — starting with a homestand against Washington on Monday, the first day of September — they’re preaching that no lead is...

Golf

Los Angeles Country Club could land the 2023 U.S. Open, according to a report that says the club and USGA have reached a preliminary agreement. Pending a vote by members and other variables, the Los Angeles Country Club could host the prestigious major in nine years. The L.A. Times first reported the news after it obtained an e-mail sent to members about the vote Thursday afternoon. The USGA released a statement about the possible partnership: “As a general rule, the...

Dodgers

PHOENIX >> Another day, another injury for the Dodgers.Outfielder Scott Van Slyke suffered a mild right ankle sprain, according to the Dodgers, on Wednesday which forced him to leave the game against the Diamondbacks. X-rays were negative, and he is listed as day-to-day. “Normally when I sprain my ankle or twist it, I do it and go about my day,” Van Slyke said. “This was kind of a stinging pain. I felt it after and that wasn’t...

Dodgers

PHOENIX — You could hear the sounds of “MVP!” chants for Clayton Kershaw, even here at Chase Field. Kershaw was back to his usual self in Arizona, as he threw an eight-inning gem in which he struck out 10 and allowed an unearned run in a 3-1 Dodgers win. His campaign for MVP is gaining steam with each outing. The previous time Kershaw pitched here in May was the lone debacle in his otherwise unblemished season in which he could win the Cy Young Award and MVP.

Dodgers

PHOENIX >> There was no pool party here Tuesday, but the Dodgers took over Chase Field again, just without the cannonballs and splashing. Still, it was a party for the Dodgers. Matt Kemp hit a two-run home run in the first inning off Diamondbacks starter Trevor Cahill, and then the Dodgers added a back-breaking, six-run fourth inning to beat Arizona 9-5.The Dodgers still have a five-game lead in the...

Dodgers

PHOENIX >> Hyun-Jin Ryu threw a bullpen session here Tuesday and could return to the Dodgers rotation as early as Sunday.Ryu, who is eligible to come off the disabled list on Friday, said he experienced no pain on Tuesday but wouldn’t commit to if he felt he would be activated.“I’m very positive,”